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Crean launches jobs challenge: 2700 jobs for the Illawarra
Download PDF MEDIA RELEASE ,'v1inister ior Empioyment. Education and Training
C 129/94 27 October 1994
CREAN LAUNCHES JOBS CHALLENGE- 2700 JOBS FOR THE
ILLAWARRA
Federal Employment. Education and Training Minister, Simon Crean. today launched a
campaign to create 2700 new jobs in the Illawarra over the next six months.
Speaking at a function organised by the Wollongong Chamber of Commerce. Mr Crean
said that the campaign aims to encourage employers to take on additional employees,
particularly the long term unemployed.
"The Illawarra campaign will see CES staff knocking on the doors of local employers to
let them know about the range of incentives and initiatives which could assist them in
taking on staff.
"The Federal Government has corrunitted some $19 million this fmancial year to the
Illawarra region for programs to provide unemployed people with work and training
opponunities, including the option of starting their own businesses."
The Federal Government has committed $10.3 billion over the next four years in its
White Paper on Employment, Working Nation'. Long term unemployed people will be
given the assistance they need to become job ready, employers will be able to access
substantial initiatives and incentives to take on staff and train them.
"We have suspended the Training Guarantee Levy and introduced the National Training
Wage Award . We have also opened the doors to competition in the case management of
unemployed people so they will get the specialised attention they need to become job
ready," Mr Crean said.
"Over 30 per cent of the funding in Working Nation will go directly to employers in the
form of subsidies -that is $3.17 billion in their pockets to help them take on staff."
O utlining the subsidy rates. Mr C re:.m said they wo uld increase the longer the person
:1:.1s been di s adv~ 1 t.a ~ e Li. If a person had been unem pioyed râ‘or three years. cm piovers
~ rep:u- ed to w.ke tn:.lt oerson L)n couiu rece!\â‘e :.1 ::.r:.1 ining \\:.lge subsidy o râ‘ uv to S260 a
.\eek for J. tou.i or l ~ \\eei--:s J.na then S 130 a w eeK. râ‘ or tne next .26 \veeK.s - J tot:.li
~; ubs i dy of almost S/000 p:.1id to the em ployer. .~ S500 bonus 1s also payable irâ‘ the
employer keeps the person on after 12 mo nths.
"There is also an additional $1000 provided where group training is involved. bringing
the total subsidy up ~o S8 260.'' he said.
Initian ves to help em pioyers take on :.1dditional staff include:
training subsidies. \vhich combined with the training wage, dramaticall y reduce the
cost of taking on employees:
expanded funding r"or apprenticeships and trainee ships:
fast track approval of trainee ships through the establishment of the National
Employment and Training Task Force (NETfFORCE ). It will also encourage
employers to provide training and employment places; and
local business and industry will also have more input into the strategic use of
G overnment program s and services provided through the CES for the economic
benefit of the region through the establishment of 60 Area Consultative Committees
across the countrv.
\1r Crean said employers could expect a knock on their door soon and urged them to
take advantage of the generous subsidies available to significantly reduce unemn loyment
in the region.
People wanting more information on Working Nation initiatives and Government
program s should contact the Emplo yer Service Centre at the Wollongong CES .
C ontacts: h ne M cA loon (travellin g w ith .\1r C rean l lO 18) 630 635.
Lm Paterson Mr Crean's Office (06) 277 7-+60
